Naman Dhir's rise: How the 'jugaadu' cricketer carved his space

NEW DELHI: When the selectors sprung a surprise by picking Naman Dhir for the West Indies series, eyebrows were raised and scepticism followed. But the Punjab all-rounder is slowly and steadily making a compelling case for himself with performances suggesting his selection may not have been as out of the blue as it seemed.Dhir has dealt with scepticism and scrutiny right from his early days as a cricketer. So much so that, after being repeatedly overlooked by the Punjab selectors in 2021, he decided to pack his bags and move to Edmonton, Canada, where his sister lives. However, an assurance from his father, Naresh Dhir, and his late coach, Gagan Sidhu, convinced him to continue for one more year. Things changed rapidly for the all-rounder who always had the uncanny ability to break into a set-up after carefully analysing the right opening.

Dhir's childhood friend Sahaj Dhawan, who is currently part of the Punjab Ranji Trophy team, shares an interesting anecdote which beautifully sums up the journey. The two have played together since they were 12 and "jugaad" has always been the undertone."Faridkot is considered a minor district (second tier) in the Punjab Cricket Association's (PCA) inter-district tournaments for all age groups. Naman used to see at which position the selectors were looking for a batter in the line-up.

He used to bat at that position. He has played at every position possible," laughs Dhawan.This adaptability might be why Mumbai Indians (MI) used the Right to Match (RTM) card to sign him for Rs 5.25 crore in the 2024 IPL mega auction and now use him as a floater in their batting line-up.

Before making his India debut, Dhir had played only a handful of matches, but his impact with the bat and his ability to bowl impressed the team management.

Playing for Amritsar Soormas, the 26-year-old smashed 655 runs in 10 games at a strike rate of 217.61, with a highest score of 173, in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League.His exploits in the tournament caught the attention of none other than Shubman Gill, and it is learnt that the Indian captain backed his inclusion in the squad and handed him his debut cap in Thiruvananthapuram.Dhawan says he and Dhir had promised each other that no matter what, they would cheer for each other when either played for India.

However, Dhawan could not keep his promise of being there in person when his friend made his debut.

"Mai ja nahi paaya (I couldn't go)," says Dhawan.He adds: "I had a Ranji Trophy trial match on that day. We were playing against Punjab U-23. I scored 150, and that's how I got picked for the Punjab Ranji team. He knew about it and told me to focus on the trial. Naman was over the moon when I got picked."Dhawan further adds that he has made it a ritual to wish Naman good luck on every match day, and it seems to be working.

"Ek totka hai humara (There is a superstition we follow). Whenever I have texted him 'all the best', he has played well. Now, I have decided that I will do it before every match. Long may this tradition continue," laughs Dhawan.Meanwhile, back in Faridkot, Naman's father, Naresh, who worked at a chemist's shop, has retired and is enjoying a celebrity status."I am retired now. Naman forced me to retire, and he was right as well.

I am 67 now. I can't work twelve hours a day," says Dhir Sr."I have watched his matches in the IPL, and we all went to Chandigarh to watch him play against the West Indies. Watching him in the Indian jersey was special. I hope he continues to do well and win many more matches for our country," he adds.

Naresh Dhir credits Naman's late first coach, Gagan Sidhu, for everything his son has achieved."Gagan always used to say, 'Dhir paji, Naman will play for India.'

Now, sadly, he is not alive to see him playing for India," says Dhir.Gagan was only 36 when he passed away due to multiple organ failure. He left behind a very young family, and Naman, along with Sahaj, is doing his bit to support them."He taught us everything. Gagan paji was like an elder brother to us. He used to fight with the selectors for us. His son is very young. He is our responsibility now. We want to be an elder brother to him, just like his father was to us," says Dhawan.

"Gagan paji was very dedicated towards us. Naman ne toh bahot chaante khaaye hain unse, bahut maar padi hai usey, ek baar toh bat se bhi (Naman was punished by him several times. He got beaten up quite a bit, once even with a bat)," recalls Dhawan.The cricketing world has been praising Naman Dhir for his calm demeanour, but Dhawan is not surprised by the attention his friend is receiving."When he is batting, he is very calm. But he is temperamental when I am batting. Agar mai jaldi out ho jau toh gaaliyan deta hai, aisa shot kyu maara, waise kyu maara (If I get out early, he hurls abuses at me, asking, 'Why did you play that shot? Why did you play it that way?')," says Dhawan.

Dhawan has just one message for his friend, whose journey he has witnessed from close quarters.

"Waheguru mehar kare, te tu tarakki kare (May Waheguru bless you and may you continue to prosper). This is what I told him over the call last evening," he says.Dhir's journey is a reminder that there is more than one way to make it in cricket. From figuring out where the selectors needed a batter and adapting his game to fit the role, to embracing the demands of being a floater in Mumbai Indians' line-up, he has found ways to keep moving forward.That ability to improvise, or jugaad, has been matched by a zindadil spirit that has kept him going through years of rejection and uncertainty. The sample size is still small, but with his unbeaten 15-ball 42 at picturesque Hagley Oval, Dhir has shown that he has all the shots in his arsenal to become the finisher India need in white-ball cricket.